Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-04-27
From the Leesburg Washingtonian.
Prohibition in Texas.

The question of the adoption of an amend
ment to the constitution of Texas, prohibit
ing the sale of Intoxicating liquors in that
State, is now agitating public sentiment
there. The contest is warming up to q
most interesting and earnest canvass. The
most distinguished men of that State are
taking sides, many of whom are strongly in
favor OF the prohibitory amendment. The
temperance sentiment we are glad to see, is
pervading every section of the country.
The vote in Michigan shows its great
strength there, which came within two or
three thousand votes of carrying the State
at its first trial. If it continue to win the
popular sentiment, for the next few years,
as it has in the last decade, it will soon re-
joice in general moral triumph through
out the cOuntry-a cOnsummation which
will gladden. the hearts of millions of the
good people of the land.
| If wisdom and discretion continue to
| guide this movement, it will prove a ma
tional success and blessing. In the large
cities where public sentiment has not been
| educated up to the standard, which would
see that prohibition is carried out, high IL
| cense, many think, should be used to pre-
pare the way, and leave the country and
smaller towns to enforce local option,
where it could be successfully done, and in
d low years, puullC Seublul6ub WOulQ pre-
pare the cities for it. This movement is
onward, and it only requires time, with ju-
diclous management, to see it accomplish
vast revolution in the habits of our people,
of all classes and sections.
While wisely warning the Democratic
party from making it a partizan issue, Sem
itor Reagan, distinguished democratic
leader in Texas, endorses the movement.
He says:
81 must express my regret that any effort
has been made to make party question of
prohibition, and especially do I regret that
Democrats should seek to identify that
great and grand historic party with the for
tunes and fate of the whisky shop, drunk
ards and criminals %
An exchange says: Two years ago Rea-
gan was on the other side of the fence and
his complete somersault has caused more
rumpus in the Democratic camp than the
explosion of dynamite bomb in mob.
EX-SENATOR MAxEY IN FAVOR OF THE PRO-
POSED AMENDMENT.
In reply to letter from ex-Lieut. Gov.
Gibbs, asking him to come out against the
prohibition amendment, ex-senator Maxey
writes:
''The democratic party should not suffer
itself to be dragged into this controversy.
posed amendment is, Is its adoption ex-
pedient? On this the wisest and purest
men in the State differ. The democratic
party, as such, has nothing and ought to
have nothing to do with the question. As
citizens let every man exercise his best
Judgment and vote accordingly. propose
to exercise my right as a citizen, and while
| don't have the confidence which soma
have in the efficiency of the measure to the
full extent claimed for it, 1 will, in the in
terest of good morals, peace, and prosperi-
ty, resolve the doubt in favor of that side
which seeks the greatest good to the num-
ber and vote for the amendment"
The Washington Star in speaking of Mr..
Reagan's position, says: SIT must be con-
fessed that such stand as Mr.. Reagan's,
taken by such a man as he, is bound to have
a marked influence on the liquor-reform
movement in Texas, whether it actually
leads TO the establishment of prohibition by
constitutional amendment or not. 1twould
be fine thing for American politics if
every party could be induced to cut itself
free from the grogshop element, aud snap
it's fingers in the face of any body of voters
who tie their ballots to the neck of a rum
Jug.